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FTC hosts inaugural Football Jamboree

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The long awaited, inaugural FTC Football Jamboree, featuring teams from Clarendon, Lee and Williamsburg counties is finally set.

“It has been two years in the making due to the Pandemic and protocol restrictions. But we are now full speed ahead and laser focused on providing student-athletes with this opportunity,” said Head Coach Reggie Kennedy. 

The slate of contests will feature all three public schools from Clarendon County (Manning, East Clarendon and Scott’s Branch), Laurence Manning, the new Kingstree Blazers, Lee Central, Williamsburg Academy and Hemingway.

“We are so excited to be able to the launch the FTC Jamboree this year,” Kennedy said. “These teams are all close to Manning and should give fans an exciting show. These matchups have teams from different classifications as well as some SCISAA schools competing against High School League teams. These types of matchups are rarely seen. We are hoping to fill Ramsey Stadium that night.”

The format of the contest will be two quarters without kickoffs. The first matchup will get under way at 6 p.m. with Williamsburg Academy and Hemingway taking the field at 6:45, Scott’s Branch and Kingstree will square off, followed by East Clarendon and Laurence Manning Academy at 7:30. The finale will have Lee Central taking on Manning, the host team at 8:15.

The contest will come one week prior to several of the teams kicking off their regular season. This will be a great opportunity for the players, especially newcomers, to get used to playing in front of a large crowd. Kennedy said he and East Clarendon Coach Scott Cook reached out to FTC because of the company’s support and coverage of high school football. FTC’s all-local channel, FTC Now, features all 16 of the teams in its 5-county area of Clarendon, Lower Florence, Lee, Sumter and Williamsburg counties. The event will be recorded and replayed during the season.

“FTC has been a huge supporter of high school football in this area for years,” Kennedy said. “The company broadcasts our games, interviews our coaches, supports our schools and teams financially and is a huge sponsor of the Sumter Touchdown Club,   which recognizes our student-athletes with game awards and scholarships.”

Advanced tickets can be purchased for $10 at the Manning High Athletic Office. Tickets will also be sold at the gate for $12.  Please come out and support this community event.